Comments Off on UPDATED: Viz Media Brings the Star of Naruto to New York Anime Festival 2011

Viz Media announced last week at Comic-Con International that they are bringing voice actress Junko Takeuchi to the New York Comic Con and Anime Festival! Takeuchi is best-known for her work as the voice of Naruto Uzumaki — lead character in the Naruto franchise — as well as roles including Gon Freecss in Hunter x Hunter, Mamoru Endo in Inazuma Eleven, Metabee in Medabots, and Gomamon in Digimon. At the New York Anime Festival, Takeuchi will speak at a Q&A session and dedicate time to autographing, both public signings for general attendees and reserved autographing for NYAF VIPs. Her appearance will culminate in the introduction to the US premiere of the feature film Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Bonds.

VOICE ACTRESS JUNKO TAKEUCHI – THE JAPANESE VOICE OF NARUTO – COMES TO NEW YORK ANIME FEST

Ms. Takeuchi To Premiere New Naruto Shippuden Film At Anime Event During New York Comic Con

Norwalk, CT, August 1, 2011: The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) and VIZ Media are proud to announce the Japanese voice of titular character Naruto Uzumaki in the global anime phenomenonNaruto and Naruto Shippuden — Junko Takeuchi — is coming to this October’s New York Anime Festival. The New York Anime Festival will take place October 13-16, 2011 at the Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan as part of the sixth annual New York Comic Con (NYCC). NYCC, which attracted 96,000 attendees in 2010, celebrates comics, television, movies, toys, games, and the popular arts from around the planet. NYCC’s Anime Festival shines a specific spotlight on anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture. NYCC has already announced guests including Kevin Smith, Felicia Day, and Robert Kirkman.

VIZ Media officially announced Ms. Takeuchi’s attendance at the New York Anime Festival on Friday, July 22nd as part of VIZ Media’s 25th Anniversary Panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego, CA. Ms. Takeuchi will take part in a panel and signings at NYAF, and will introduce the U.S. premiere of the motion picture Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Bonds at a VIZ Media event (details forthcoming). Ms. Takeuchi’s travel is provided by American Airlines.

Junko Takeuchi, a prolific voice actress (or seiyuu), originally hails from Saitama, Japan and has earned a large following internationally for her portrayal of Naruto Uzumaki — lead character in the Narutofranchise — and is also well-known for roles including Gon Freecss in Hunter x Hunter, Mamoru Endo in Inazuma Eleven, Metabee in Medabots, and Gomamon in Digimon. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens with more than 100 million copies in circulation to-date. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and animated counterpart (Naruto rated ‘T’ for Teens, and Naruto Shippuden rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) are among VIZ Media’s most successful properties and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe, and South America.

At the New York Anime Festival, Takeuchi will speak on a panel and dedicate time to autographing, both public signings for general attendees and reserved autographing for NYAF VIPs. Her appearance will culminate in the introduction of the U.S. premiere of Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Bonds. In the feature film, a group of mysterious flying ninja have arrived from overseas to launch a sudden attack against the Hidden Leaf Village, leaving behind a wake of destruction. The group is revealed to be the “Sky Ninja” from the Land of Sky, a nation thought to have been destroyed by the Hidden Leaf Village long ago. To save their village, Naruto and his friends set out to stop this new threat. During the course of the mission, Naruto crosses paths with Sasuke, his friend who has parted ways from the Leaf Village.

“The New York Anime Festival is honored welcome Junko Takeuchi to New York City,” NYAF and NYCC Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. “VIZ Media is responsible for the biggest manga and anime series in America, Naruto and Naruto Shippuden being among them, and we’re very excited to partner together to bring the voice of Naruto together with her fans in NYC. Of course, while we’reexcited, our attendees will be absolutely, entirely thrilled.”

For more information on Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, please visit Naruto.viz.com.

Details around all of NYAF’s Naruto events and its full schedule will be announced later this summer. Tickets are available at www.newyorkcomiccon.com now. For the latest information, please follow @ny_anime_fest and @ny_comic_con on Twitter as well as read NYAF and NYCC’s official blog, www.mediumatlarge.net.

ABOUT VIZ MEDIA, LLC:

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan’s largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like Naruto, Bleach and InuYasha, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL:

The New York Anime Festival is a celebration of Japanese popular culture from the creators of New York Comic Con. NYAF conducts, promotes and is involved in anime and Japanese cultural activities year-round in New York City, including events at Kinokuniya Bookstore, Japan Society, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Sakura Matsuri. Our flagship event is the New York Anime Festival at New York Comic Con. Taking place at the Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan on October 13-16, 2011, the New York Anime Festival at New York Comic Con showcases the best of anime pop culture, including the latest anime, manga, Japanese cinema, music and games as well as anime-influenced comics, animation, and films from around the world. The festival features exclusive and extensive screenings, a gala cosplay masquerade, sessions with the some of the biggest names in anime from Japan, Asia and America, and explores the Japanese cultural experience with displays of both traditional and cutting-edge Japanese life. (www.newyorkanimefestival.com)

ABOUT NEW YORK COMIC CON:

New York Comic Con is the East Coast’s biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. Our show floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. Our panels and autograph sessions give fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators. Our screening rooms feature sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit either big or small screens. And with dedicated professional hours, New York Comic Con is a market place, bringing together the major players in the entertainment industry. New York Comic Con is the second largest pop culture convention in America and the only one that takes place in the comic book, publishing, media, and licensing capital of the world — Gotham City.(www.newyorkcomiccon.com)

ABOUT REEDPOP:

ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.